One of the mottos of Pepe Aguilar and his children, Leonardo and Ángela Aguilar, is to "let the music speak," especially when media headlines and social media comments focus on their personal lives. However, their most recent scandals have begun to leak out and affect their music career.
This month, the family was harshly criticized for emphasizing that Pepe Aguilar entered the United States "legally" during a speech he gave, which Angela reiterated in the middle of their two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Social media erupted with comments that he had made an indirect attack on undocumented immigrants.
Now, that episode is threatening his September 15 performance in Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, as part of the Mexican Grito de la Independencia celebrations.
At the end of August, a petition was posted on Change.Org to the state governor urging the Aguilars to cancel the show. Within a week, it had garnered more than 170,000 signatures.
This is the text:
As citizens of Guadalajara and proud Mexicans, we reject the participation of Pepe Aguilar, Ángela Aguilar, and Leonardo Aguilar in the free concert on September 15th at Paseo Alcalde, as part of the Grito de Independencia ceremony.
🚨 Main reason: anti-migrant speeches
At a historic moment in which the world is facing humanitarian crises and social conflicts stemming from migration, it is unacceptable that on one of Mexico's most symbolic dates, a stage and public resources are given to artists who have directly or indirectly disregarded those who migrate out of necessity.At a concert in the United States, Pepe Aguilar called for "things to be done legally, without excuses," ignoring the harsh reality of millions of undocumented Mexicans who face persecution, exploitation, and human rights violations.
Angela Aguilar described herself as a "legal Mexican American," highlighting a painful divide between "legal" and "illegal" migrants, even though we all share the same Mexican identity.
Continuing to focus on them and hire them with public money confirms and validates the narrative that hurts our migrants.⚠️ Second reason: poor social example and disconnection with the public
Angela Aguilar has been involved in controversies and scandals that do not represent positive or family values.
The Aguilar dynasty has displayed elitist and out-of-touch attitudes, forgetting that it was the public—the same migrants they divide today with their words—who made them famous.✊ Citizen demand
We ask Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro and the authorities of the state of Jalisco:-Cancel the Aguilars' performance at the Guadalajara Independence Day Parade.
-Prevent the use of public resources to promote artists who discriminate against and divide the Mexican migrant community and who do not exemplify positive values for families and youth.
-Give priority to local and national talents who truly represent the unity, dignity, and values of our people.👉 Sign this petition so that as Guadalajara residents, we can make it clear that the Cry of Independence should be an act of unity and respect for our people, not a platform for discourse that reinforces discrimination against Mexican migrants.
The signatories' comments are fierce:
"As a Mexican immigrant living in the USA, I am signing this petition because the way these people express themselves is very painful. With their arrogance and arrogance, they call themselves "legal" or citizens of the USA and only consider themselves Mexican patriots for their own convenience... Cancel them because they do not represent us."
"The Aguilars do not represent us! Taking into account that this will come from the public treasury, we want to be taken into account and as a proud Jalisco resident abroad, I always try to be a good promoter of our state and country, of our beautiful traditions and customs, which is why they do not represent me since they do not even perceive themselves as Mexicans. The pride of patriotism is not a garment that you can put on and take off at your convenience as they have been doing."
So far, the governor has not commented on the matter.
